Basellaceae

A family of flowering plants with 4 genera and 24 species of herbaceous plants, some with climbing habits. Members of the family have fleshy un toothed leaves, tuberous root stocks and red or white flowers in branched or un branched clusters. Mainly distributed in Tropical America, Asia and Africa. Grown for ornamental values and for Spinach. Malabar spinach and Mignonette vine are a few of the important members of the family

Derived from “ Pasala” the vernacular name in India , meaning spinach.